High pressure cavitation chamber with dual internal reflectors

ABSTRACT

A cavitation chamber separated into three volumes by a pair of gas-tight and liquid-tight seals, each seal formed by the combination of a rigid acoustic reflector and a flexible member, is provided. During chamber operation, only one of the three volumes contains cavitation fluid, the other two chamber volumes remaining devoid of cavitation fluid. The cavitation system also includes a cavitation fluid reservoir coupled to the cavitation chamber by a conduit, a valve allowing the cavitation chamber to be isolated from the cavitation fluid reservoir. A second conduit couples the two unfilled chamber volumes to a region above the liquid free surface within the cavitation fluid reservoir. A second valve allows the two unfilled chamber volumes to either be coupled to the cavitation fluid reservoir by the second conduit, or be coupled to a third conduit, the third conduit leading either to the ambient atmosphere or to a high pressure gas source. The cavitation system also includes at least one acoustic driver.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/305,786 filed Dec. 16, 2005, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference for any and all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to sonoluminescence and, moreparticularly, to a method and apparatus for performing high pressurecavitation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Sonoluminescence is a well-known phenomena discovered in the 1930's inwhich light is generated when a liquid is cavitated. Although a varietyof techniques for cavitating the liquid are known (e.g., sparkdischarge, laser pulse, flowing the liquid through a Venturi tube), oneof the most common techniques is through the application of highintensity sound waves.

In essence, the cavitation process consists of three stages; bubbleformation, growth and subsequent collapse. The bubble or bubblescavitated during this process absorb the applied energy, for examplesound energy, and then release the energy in the form of light emissionduring an extremely brief period of time. The intensity of the generatedlight depends on a variety of factors including the physical propertiesof the liquid (e.g., density, surface tension, vapor pressure, chemicalstructure, temperature, hydrostatic pressure, etc.) and the appliedenergy (e.g., sound wave amplitude, sound wave frequency, etc.).

Although it is generally recognized that during the collapse of acavitating bubble extremely high temperature plasmas are developed,leading to the observed sonoluminescence effect, many aspects of thephenomena have not yet been characterized. As such, the phenomena is atthe heart of a considerable amount of research as scientists attempt tonot only completely characterize the phenomena (e.g., effects ofpressure on the cavitating medium), but also its many applications(e.g., sonochemistry, chemical detoxification, ultrasonic cleaning,etc.).

In a typical cavitation system, for example as shown by Dan et al. in anarticle entitled Ambient Pressure Effect on Single-BubbleSonoluminescence (vol. 83, no. 9 of Physical Review Letters), thecavitation chamber is a simple glass flask that is filled or semi-filledwith cavitation fluid. A spherical flask is also disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 5,659,173. The specification of this patent discloses using flasksof Pyrex®, Kontes®, and glass with sizes ranging from 10 milliliters to5 liters. The drivers as well as a microphone piezoelectric were epoxiedto the exterior surface of the chamber.

In some instances, more elaborate chambers are employed in thecavitation system. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,333,796 discloses acavitation chamber designed for use with a liquid metal. As disclosed,the chamber is generally cylindrical and comprised of a refractory metalsuch as tungsten, titanium, molybdenum, rhenium or some alloy thereof.Surrounding the cavitation chamber is a housing which is purportedlyused as a neutron and tritium shield. Projecting through both the outerhousing and the cavitation chamber walls are a number of acoustic horns,each of the acoustic horns being coupled to a transducer which suppliesthe mechanical energy to the associated horn. The specificationdiscloses that the horns, through the use of flanges, are secured to thechamber/housing walls in such a way as to provide a seal and that thetransducers are mounted to the outer ends of the horns.

A tube-shaped cavitation system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,658,534,the tube fabricated from stainless steel. Multiple ultrasonictransducers are attached to the cavitation tube, each transducer beingfixed to a cylindrical half-wavelength coupler by a stud, the couplerbeing clamped within a stainless steel collar welded to the outside ofthe sonochemical tube. The collars allow circulation of oil through thecollar and an external heat exchanger.

Another tube-shaped cavitation system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.6,361,747. In this cavitation system the acoustic cavitation reactor iscomprised of a flexible tube. The liquid to be treated circulatesthrough the tube. Electroacoustic transducers are radially and uniformlydistributed around the tube, each of the electroacoustic transducershaving a prismatic bar shape. A film of lubricant is interposed betweenthe transducer heads and the wall of the tube to help couple theacoustic energy into the tube.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,858,104 discloses a shock wave chamber partially filledwith a liquid. The remaining portion of the chamber is filled with gaswhich can be pressurized by a connected pressure source. Acoustictransducers are used to position an object within the chamber whileanother transducer delivers a compressional acoustic shock wave into theliquid. A flexible membrane separating the liquid from the gas reflectsthe compressional shock wave as a dilation wave focused on the locationof the object about which a bubble is formed.

PCT Application No. US02/16761 discloses a nuclear fusion reactor inwhich at least a portion of the liquid within the reactor is placed intoa state of tension, this state of tension being less than the cavitationthreshold of the liquid. The liquid preferably includes enricheddeuterium or tritium, the inventors citing deuterated acetone as anexemplary liquid. In at least one disclosed embodiment, acoustic wavesare used to pretension the liquid. In order to minimize the effects ofgas cushioning during bubble implosion, the liquid is degassed prior totensioning. A resonant cavity is formed within the chamber using upperand lower pistons, the pistons preferably fabricated from glass. Theupper and lower pistons are smaller than the inside diameter of thechamber, thus allowing cavitation fluid to pass by the pistons. In apreferred embodiment, the upper piston is flexibly anchored to thechamber using wire anchors while the lower piston is rigidly anchored tothe chamber.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a cavitation chamber separated into threevolumes by a pair of gas-tight and liquid-tight seals, each seal formedby the combination of a rigid acoustic reflector and a flexible member.During chamber operation, only one of the three volumes containscavitation fluid, the other two chamber volumes remaining devoid ofcavitation fluid. The cavitation system also includes a cavitation fluidreservoir coupled to the cavitation chamber by a conduit. A secondconduit couples the two unfilled chamber volumes to a region above theliquid free surface within the cavitation fluid reservoir. One valveallows the cavitation chamber to be isolated from the cavitation fluidreservoir. A second valve allows the two unfilled chamber volumes toeither be coupled to the cavitation fluid reservoir by the secondconduit, or be coupled to a third conduit, the third conduit leadingeither to the ambient atmosphere or to a high pressure gas source. Thecavitation system also includes at least one acoustic driver, such as aring of piezoelectric material, coupled to the chamber and used to drivecavitation within the cavitation fluid filled chamber volume.

Various techniques can be used with the invention to flexibly couple therigid reflectors to the internal surfaces of the cavitation chamber. Inone embodiment, the flexible coupling member is comprised of a flexibleadhesive/sealant such as a silicon adhesive. In an alternate embodiment,the flexible coupling is fabricated from an elastomeric material such asa natural or synthetic rubber. The elastomeric material can be bonded orotherwise attached to both the rigid reflectors and the internalsurfaces of the cavitation chamber.

The rigid reflectors can be hollow or solid, and comprised of arelatively fragile material like glass or a more robust material such asa metal.

A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the presentinvention may be realized by reference to the remaining portions of thespecification and the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a cavitation chamber and dualreflector assembly according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of acavitation chamber and dual reflector assembly;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a cavitation chamber and reflectorassembly similar to that shown in FIG. 2, utilizing a different seal forthe dual reflectors;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a cavitation chamber and reflectorassembly similar to that shown in FIG. 2, utilizing a different seal forthe dual reflectors;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a cavitation chamber and reflectorassembly similar to that shown in FIG. 2, utilizing a different seal forthe dual reflectors;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a dual lobe cavitation chamber anddual reflector assembly; and

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a cavitation chamber and reflectorassembly identical to that shown in FIG. 1 utilizing a differentcavitation fluid reservoir.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a cavitation chamber and dual reflectorassembly according to the invention. In this embodiment, the cavitationchamber is a cylindrically-shaped chamber comprised of a glasscylindrical portion 101 and a pair of glass end portions 103 and 105.There are numerous ways to fabricate a glass vessel such as this chamberincluding, but not limited to, bonding or otherwise combining multipleglass pieces together. As the fabrication of such a chamber is wellwithin the know-how of those of skill in the art, further vesselfabrication details are not provided herein.

Mounted within, and at either end of chamber 100, are a pair of rigidreflectors 107 and 109. In this embodiment, rigid reflectors 107 and 109are preferably bonded to inside chamber surface 111 along a bond line113 using a silicon adhesive and sealant. It will be appreciated thatthere are numerous bonding/sealing materials that can be used instead ofa silicon adhesive/sealant and, more broadly, there are numeroustechniques that can be used to attach reflectors 107 and 109 to theinside walls of the cavitation chamber. The primary consideration placedon such a reflector mounting technique is that it is flexible, thusallowing reflectors 107 and 109 to move during the cavitation process.Additionally, it must be capable of providing a leak-proof seal (i.e.,both a gas-tight and a liquid-tight seal), thereby preventing cavitationfluid contained within central portion 115 of chamber 100, i.e., betweenreflectors 107 and 109, from leaking into either chamber portion 117 orchamber portion 119, both of which are devoid of cavitation fluid.

During system operation, cavitation is driven within the cavitationfluid contained within central portion 115 by one or more acousticdrivers. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, two acoustic drivers121 and 123, each comprised of a ring of piezoelectric material, arecoupled to exterior chamber surface 125. Preferably drivers 121 and 123are bonded to surface 125 along bond line 127, for example using anepoxy. As in a conventional cavitation chamber, the drivers are coupledto driver power amplifiers 129/131.

In the illustrated embodiment, cavitation chamber 100 is coupled to acavitation fluid reservoir 133 via conduit 135. In-line valve 137 allowschamber 100 to be isolated from reservoir 133. Degassing, required toefficiently achieve high energy density (e.g., temperature) cavitationinduced implosions within the cavitation fluid during cavitation, isperformed by a degassing system coupled to reservoir 133. If sufficientdegassing is not performed, gas within the cavitation fluid will impedethe cavitation process by decreasing the maximum rate of collapse aswell as the peak stagnation pressure and temperature of the plasmawithin the cavitating bubbles. It will be understood that the term“gas”, as used herein, refers to any of a variety of gases that aretrapped within the cavitation fluid, these gases typically reflectingthe gases contained within air (e.g., oxygen, nitrogen, argon, etc.). Incontrast, “vapor” only refers to molecules of the cavitation fluid thatare in the gaseous phase.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, degassing is performedwith a vacuum pump 139 that is coupled to reservoir 133 via conduit 141.A three-way valve 143 allows the system to be coupled to the ambientatmosphere via conduit 145 or to vacuum pump 139. It will be appreciatedthat three-way valve 143 can be replaced with a pair of two-way valves(not shown). Valve 147 provides a means for isolating the system frompump 139. Preferably a trap 149 is used to insure that cavitation fluidis not drawn into vacuum pump 139 or vacuum gauge 151. Preferably trap149 is cooled so that any cavitation medium entering the trap condensesor solidifies. Vacuum gauge 151 is used to provide an accurateassessment of the system pressure. If the cavitation system becomespressurized, prior to re-coupling the system to either vacuum gauge 151or vacuum pump 139 the cavitation system pressure is bled down to anacceptable level, for example using three-way valve 143.

A cavitation fluid filling system, not shown, is coupled to the system,preferably via reservoir 133, and used to fill the system to the desiredlevel. Although in general the operating level for a particularcavitation chamber is based on obtaining the most efficient cavitationaction, preferably in the present invention the cavitation chamber(i.e., chamber 100) is operated in a completely full state. The fillingsystem may utilize a simple fill tube (e.g., conduit 145) or otherfilling means. Regardless of the method used to fill the system,preferably it is evacuated prior to filling, thus causing the cavitationmedium to be drawn into the system (i.e., utilizing ambient air pressureto provide the pressure to fill the system).

Although not required, the filling system may include a circulatorysystem, such as that described in co-pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/001,720, filed Dec. 1, 2004, entitled Cavitation FluidCirculatory System for a Cavitation Chamber, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein for any and all purposes. Other components that mayor may not be coupled to the cavitation fluid filling and/or circulatorysystem include bubble traps, cavitation fluid filters, and heat exchangesystems. Further descriptions of some of these variations are providedin co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/961,353, filed Oct. 7,2004, entitled Heat Exchange System for a Cavitation Chamber, thedisclosure of which is incorporated herein for any and all purposes.

During system degassing, valves 143 and 147 are open, coupling reservoir133 to pump 139. Additionally, valve 137 is open, thus insuring thatcavitation fluid within chamber 100 is degassed as well as thecavitation fluid within the reservoir. To prevent damage to reflectors107 and 109, the pressure within chamber end regions 117 and 119 is heldin equilibrium with the pressure above the free liquid interface 153 inreservoir 133 during the degassing procedure. Preferably pressureequalization is maintained by opening in-line valve 155, therebycoupling regions 117 and 119 to region 157 above free liquid interface153 via conduit 159.

It will be appreciated that in addition to performing the degassingprocedure using vacuum pump 139, and prior to using the cavitationsystem for its intended purpose, further degassing can be performed, forexample via the process of rectified diffusion. Rectified diffusion canbe accomplished by cavitating the fluid, the cavitation process tearingvacuum cavities within the cavitation fluid. As the newly formedcavities expand, gas from the fluid that remains after the initialdegassing step enters into the cavities. During cavity collapse,however, not all of the gas re-enters the fluid. The gas can then beremoved from the system, for example using vacuum pump 139. Dependingupon the amount of gas in the cavitation fluid, it may be necessary toform the cavities to be cavitated by neutron bombardment, focusing alaser beam into the cavitation fluid to vaporize small amounts of fluid,by locally heating small regions with a hot wire, or by other means.Further description of applicable degassing procedures are provided inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/002,476, filed Dec. 1, 2004,entitled Degassing Procedure for a Cavitation Chamber, and in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/244,753, filed Oct. 6, 2005, entitledCavitation Chamber Degassing System, the disclosures of which areincorporated herein for any and all purposes.

After the cavitation fluid within the system has been degassed, valve137 is closed, thereby isolating cavitation chamber region 115 from thecavitation fluid reservoir 133. Once the chamber is isolated, regions117 and 119 are opened to the atmosphere using valve 155. Sincereflectors 107 and 109 are flexibly mounted to the cavitation chamber,opening regions 117 and 119 to the atmosphere causes the two reflectorsto be forced inwards toward the central region of the chamber, therebyincreasing the static pressure within chamber region 115 which, ineffect, pretensions the cavitation fluid. Pre-tensioning the cavitationfluid increases the intensity that can be achieved by thecavitation-induced cavity implosions. If further pressure and thuspre-tensioning is desired, a high pressure gas source 161 (e.g.,nitrogen gas) can be coupled to conduit 163, thus causing regions 117and 119 to become further pressurized when valve 155 is open. Source 161is shown in phantom as it is optional.

Once the cavitation fluid has been degassed and regions 117 and 119pressurized, either to atmospheric pressure or from a high pressure gassource, cavitation is driven in region 115 by one or more drivers (e.g.,drivers 121/123).

Although the chamber shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1 is a cylindricalchamber fabricated from glass, it should be appreciated that theinvention is not limited to a particular configuration. Particularconfigurations are typically selected to accommodate a specificcavitation process and its corresponding process parameters (e.g.,cavitation fluid, pressure, temperature, reactants, etc.). Examples ofother configurations include spherical chambers, hourglass-shapedchambers, conical chambers, cubical chambers, rectangular chambers,irregularly-shaped chambers, etc. One method of fabricating a suitablespherical chamber is described in detail in co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/925,070, filed Aug. 23, 2004, entitled Method ofFabricating a Spherical Cavitation Chamber, the entire disclosure ofwhich is incorporated herein for any and all purposes. Examples ofhourglass-shaped chambers are provided in co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. Nos. 11/140,175, filed May 27, 2005, entitledHourglass-Shaped Cavitation Chamber, and 11/149,791, filed Jun. 9, 2005,entitled Hourglass-Shaped Cavitation Chamber with Spherical Lobes, theentire disclosures of which are incorporated herein for any and allpurposes.

The cavitation chamber of the invention can be fabricated from any of avariety of materials, or any combination of materials. The primaryconsiderations for material selection are the desired operating pressureand temperature of the chamber and system. Preferably the material ormaterials selected for the cavitation chamber are relatively corrosionresistant to the intended cavitation fluid, thus allowing the chamber tobe used repeatedly. Additionally, the chamber materials can be selectedto simplify viewing of the sonoluminescence phenomena, for exampleutilizing a transparent material such as glass, borosilicate glass(e.g., Pyrex®), or quartz glass. Alternately the cavitation chamber canbe fabricated from a more robust material (e.g., 17-4 precipitationhardened stainless steel) and one which is preferably machinable, thussimplifying fabrication. Alternately a portion of the chamber can befabricated from one material while other portions of the chamber can befabricated from one or more different materials.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary embodiment of the invention in which thecavitation chamber is fabricated from multiple materials. In particular,cylindrical portion 201 is fabricated from a transparent material (e.g.,glass) while end caps 203 and 205 are fabricated from a metal (e.g.,aluminum), the assembly being held together with multiple all-threads207 and nuts 209.

Although reflectors 107 and 109 can be fabricated from any of a varietyof materials, preferably the material selected is rigid and relativelylight weight. Additionally, reflectors 107 and 109 must be capable ofwithstanding the pressure waves created by the cavitating bubbles withinthe cavitation fluid contained within 115. The inventor has found thatreflectors 107 and 109 can either be hollow (e.g., a hollow disc) orsolid. For example, in one embodiment reflectors 107 and 109 arecomprised of a hollow glass disc. In an alternate embodiment, reflectors107 and 109 are comprised of a solid glass disc. In yet anotheralternate embodiment, reflectors 107 and 109 are comprised of a hollowmetal disc, preferably a titanium hollow disc. In yet another alternateembodiment, reflectors 107 and 109 are comprised of a solid metal disc,preferably a titanium disc. It will be appreciated that glass andtitanium are exemplary materials and that the invention is not limitedto these materials. Additionally, it should be understood that the shapeof the reflectors is driven by the shape of the cavitation chamber, thusreflectors 107 and 109 are disc-shaped only because chamber 100, as wellas the chamber of FIG. 2, is cylindrically-shaped.

Although in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 the reflectors arebonded to the inside surface of the chamber using a flexible bondingmaterial such as a silicon adhesive and sealant, the invention is notlimited to this particular configuration. For example, the embodimentshown in FIG. 3, based on the embodiment of FIG. 2, uses a neoprenematerial 301 attached to reflectors 303 and 305, the neoprene materialallowing reflector movement while providing the necessary seal betweenthe cavitation fluid within chamber volume 115 and chamber volumes 117and 119. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the inside edge 307 ofneoprene flexible seal 301 is bonded to reflectors 303 and 305 alongbond joints which are preferably located within grooves within thereflectors. Similarly the outside edge 309 of neoprene flexible seal 301is bonded to the walls 201 of the cavitation chamber along second bondjoints, the second bond joints preferably located within grooves in thecavitation chamber walls. The bond joints can be comprised of anybonding agent (i.e., epoxy, silicon adhesive, etc.) that is capable ofbonding to the materials in question (e.g., neoprene, reflectormaterial, chamber wall material) and providing a gas-tight andliquid-tight seal. This bond does not have to be flexible, however, asthe required flexibility is provided by neoprene seal 301.

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 is similar to that shown in FIG. 3,except that flexible neoprene seals 401 include a flange 403 along theirinside surfaces, thus allowing the seals to be bonded to the outsidecircumference of reflectors 405 and 407. Similarly, seals 401 include aflange 409 along their outside surfaces, flange 409 providing a suitablebonding surface to bond the flexible seals to the inside surface ofchamber walls 201.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, rigid reflector 501 iscomprised of a pair of reflector members 503 and 505 held together withmultiple threaded means 507 (e.g., screws, bolts, etc.). Similarly,rigid reflector 509 is comprised of a pair of reflector members 511 and513, held together with multiple threaded means 515 (e.g., screws,bolts, etc.). Captured in between each pair of reflector members is theinner edge of neoprene flexible seals 517 and 519. The outer edge ofneoprene flexible seal 517 corresponding to reflector 501 is capturedbetween first chamber wall member 521 and second chamber wall member523. Similarly, the outer edge of neoprene flexible seal 519corresponding to reflector 509 is captured between second wall member523 and third chamber wall member 525. It will be appreciated that thereare numerous methods of designing the mating surfaces of wall members521/523 and 523/525 that provide both a strong wall and a means ofcapturing the edges of the seals. The inner and outer portions of seals517/519 are sealed with a suitable sealant (e.g., silicon adhesive) tothe reflector members and the wall members to insure a gas-tight andliquid-tight seal.

In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 3-5 seals 301, 401, 517 and 519are fabricated from neoprene. It should be appreciated, however, thatthese seals can be fabricated from any of a variety of elastomericmaterials, including both natural and synthetic rubbers. In addition tothe need for flexibility, the elastomeric material selected for the sealmust be corrosion resistant to the intended cavitation fluid and provideboth a gas-tight and liquid-tight seal. Preferably the selected materialis also readily bondable, thus providing a simple method of bonding theseal to both the reflector and the chamber wall.

As previously noted, the use of a reflector as described herein is notlimited to the illustrated embodiments. For example, non-cylindricalcavitation chambers can be used with the invention such as the chambershown in FIG. 6. Chamber 600 includes a pair of lobes 601/603, each ofwhich includes a reflector, i.e., reflectors 605/607, respectively.

In order to simplify chamber filling and the degassing operation, in thepreferred embodiments of the invention cavitation fluid reservoir 133 islarge enough to hold sufficient cavitation fluid to completely fill thecavitation chamber to which it is attached as well as remain partiallyfilled. This arrangement, however, is not required. For example, theembodiment shown in FIG. 7 is the same as that shown in FIG. 1, exceptfor the size of the cavitation fluid reservoir. In this arrangement, thechamber is completely filled and the reservoir is partially filled priorto performing the degassing operation.

As will be understood by those familiar with the art, the presentinvention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing fromthe spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Accordingly, thedisclosures and descriptions herein are intended to be illustrative, butnot limiting, of the scope of the invention which is set forth in thefollowing claims.

1. A cavitation system, comprising: a cavitation chamber; a cavitationfluid reservoir coupled to said cavitation chamber via a first conduit;means for forming a first gas-tight and liquid-tight separation betweena first chamber volume and a second chamber volume within saidcavitation chamber, wherein during cavitation system operation acavitation fluid is contained within said second chamber volume and saidfirst chamber volume is devoid of said cavitation fluid, and whereinsaid first separation forming means further comprises a first rigidreflector and a first flexible member coupling the first rigid reflectorto an inside surface of said cavitation chamber; means for forming asecond gas-tight and liquid-tight separation between said second chambervolume and a third chamber volume within said cavitation chamber,wherein during cavitation system operation said third chamber volume isdevoid of said cavitation fluid, and wherein said second separationforming means further comprises a second rigid; reflector and a secondflexible member coupling the second rigid reflector to said insidesurface of said cavitation chamber; a second conduit coupling said firstchamber volume to said third chamber volume and to a region within saidcavitation fluid reservoir, wherein said region is located above aliquid free surface within said cavitation fluid reservoir; and at leastone acoustic driver coupled to said cavitation chamber.
 2. Thecavitation system of claim 1, further comprising an in-line valve withinsaid first conduit.
 3. The cavitation system of claim 1, furthercomprising an in-line valve within said second conduit, wherein saidin-line valve has at least a first position and a second position,wherein said in-line valve in said first position couples said first andthird chamber volumes to said region within said cavitation fluidreservoir, and wherein said in-line valve in said second positioncouples said first and third chamber volumes to a third conduit.
 4. Thecavitation system of claim 3, wherein said third conduit is coupled toambient air.
 5. The cavitation system of claim 3, further comprising agas source, wherein said third conduit is coupled to said gas source. 6.The cavitation system of claim 5, wherein said gas source is a highpressure gas source.
 7. The cavitation system of claim 1, furthercomprising a degassing system coupled to said cavitation fluidreservoir.
 8. The cavitation system of claim 7, said degassing systemcomprising a vacuum pump.
 9. The cavitation system of claim 1, whereinsaid first flexible member is comprised of an adhesive sealant.
 10. Thecavitation system of claim 9, wherein said adhesive sealant is a siliconadhesive sealant.
 11. The cavitation system of claim 1, wherein saidfirst and second flexible members are comprised of an adhesive sealant.12. The cavitation system of claim 11, wherein said adhesive sealant isa silicon adhesive sealant.
 13. The cavitation system of claim 1,wherein said first flexible member is comprised of an elastomericmember.
 14. The cavitation system of claim 13, wherein said firstflexible member further comprises a first bond joint between saidelastomeric member and said first rigid reflector and a second bondjoint between said elastomeric member and said inside surface of saidcavitation chamber.
 15. The cavitation system of claim 1, wherein saidfirst flexible member is comprised of a first elastomeric member, andwherein said second flexible member is comprised of a second elastomericmember.
 16. The cavitation system of claim 15, wherein said firstflexible member further comprises a first bond joint between said firstelastomeric member and said first rigid reflector and a second bondjoint between said first elastomeric member and said inside surface ofsaid cavitation chamber, and wherein said second flexible member furthercomprises a third bond joint between said second elastomeric member andsaid second rigid reflector and a fourth bond joint between said secondelastomeric member and said inside surface of said cavitation chamber.17. The cavitation system of claim 1, wherein said first rigid reflectorfurther comprises a first reflector member and a second reflectormember, and wherein a portion of said first flexible member is capturedbetween said first and second reflector members.
 18. The cavitationsystem of claim 1, wherein said first rigid reflector further comprisesa first reflector member and a second reflector member, wherein aportion of said first flexible member is captured between said first andsecond reflector members, wherein said second rigid reflector furthercomprises a third reflector member and a fourth reflector member, andwherein a portion of said second flexible member is captured betweensaid third and fourth reflector members.
 19. The cavitation system ofclaim 1, wherein said first rigid reflector is hollow.
 20. Thecavitation system of claim 1, wherein said first and second rigidreflectors are hollow.
 21. The cavitation system of claim 1, whereinsaid first rigid reflector is comprised of a glass material.
 22. Thecavitation system of claim 1, wherein said first and second rigidreflectors are comprised of a glass material.
 23. The cavitation systemof claim 1, wherein said first rigid reflector is comprised of a metal.24. The cavitation system of claim 1, wherein said first and secondrigid reflectors are comprised of a metal.
 25. The cavitation system ofclaim 1, wherein said at least one acoustic driver further comprises atleast one ring-shaped piezoelectric transducer coupled to an exteriorsurface of said cavitation chamber.
 26. The cavitation system of claim1, wherein said at least one acoustic driver further comprises a firstring-shaped piezoelectric transducer coupled to a first portion of anexterior surface of said cavitation chamber and a second ring-shapedpiezoelectric transducer coupled to a second portion of said exteriorsurface of said cavitation chamber.
 27. The cavitation system of claim1, wherein said cavitation chamber is a cylindrically-shaped chamber.